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Ladd McConkey's college football stats don't fly off the charts. In his best season with the Georgia Bulldogs in 2022, he had 896 yards from scrimmage (762 receiving) and nine touchdowns. A season later, he had 516 yards and three touchdowns in nine games.
However, his solid performances at the Los Angeles Chargers training camp make his fantasy football potential intriguing. With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams playing for other teams, McConkey can impact the Chargers' offense in his rookie season.
Since he can potentially play extensively for the Chargers, he can offer tremendous value when selected in the middle rounds of fantasy football drafts.
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Is Ladd McConkey The Chargers' WR1?
Jim Harbaugh's arrival as Chargers head coach led to a reset of the team's offense. They've lost their offensive stars, as Allen is now with the Chicago Bears, while Williams will play with the New York Jets. Even running back Austin Ekeler will suit up for the Washington Commanders.
Therefore, Harbaugh can model the offense as he sees fit, and McConkey could be a significant factor in his plans. It does help McConkey that Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles' first-round pick last year, has been manifesting problems in retrieving the ball. Joshua Palmer is reliable but hasn't experienced playing a more significant role on offense.
Ladd McConkey
The era has officially begun for the NFL. #DGD #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/9WYo0CcnRq— Dawg Show Podcast (@TheDawgShowPod) August 18, 2024
These situations allow McConkey to lead their charge in the passing game. However, NFL defenses also pay attention, meaning McConkey might draw tough matchups in Year 1. While he will win some matchups, McConkey will face some challenging battles against the league's best defensive backs.
When Should I Draft Ladd McConkey in Fantasy Football?
The jury is still unsure whether McConkey will exceed the numbers he posted in Georgia. Hence, it's best to categorize him as a WR3 for now. RotoBaller ranks him as the 49th-best wide receiver for the 2024 fantasy football season, with an average draft position of 94.
The last number indicates that in a 12-player fantasy league, McConkey is an ideal selection in the eighth or ninth round. It's a spot where while expectations are low, you can dominate your head-to-head matchups if he delivers a monster game.
However, while you'd expect the best from McConkey, you shouldn't lose your weekly matchup if he had a bad game given his cost. Still, his upside can make a difference in your league.
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